The blahblah of the forum

[Deleted User 728]

As you all know by now, I'm a liberal leftie snowflake (personally I hate that last term but I am determined to reclaim it for positive use).

Having said that, it should be patently obvious to anyone over the age of 45 that since smacking (parents) or using the slipper/caning (teachers) has been outlawed society has gone downhill.
I completely understand why it was abolished because there were (and no doubt still are) some shockingly violent teachers with sadistic tendencies.
An ex of mine who is a teen social worker once told me that an awful lot of paedophiles either work with or volunteer for children : school staff, scout leaders, sports and youth club staff, members of the clergy, etc. Most of them were taken on before the current level of checks were devised, but even then many slipped through the net.
It's a similar thing with non-sexual predators like the ones who want to beat children more than they deserve.
I really do get why it was banned but still feel if it could be reintroduced it would benefit society as a whole.
I would like to say "Bring back national service" too, but with the current set of laws it wouldn't be feasible.

I don't think there is a solution unless martial law is introduced and we really do end up living under a dictatorship.


.. we might not be far off that the way things are going.

[Davycc]

Agree, when kids grow up not having any respect for teachers in primary school, knowing they can really just do what they want then get the ultimate prize ... suspended. Usually suspended and sitting at home with the parents watching tv or out ruining others lives. I know I sound like my grandfather but when I was a young lad I wouldn't dream of talking back to an elder or teacher never mind a police officer. If a cop called at my door because of something I'd done I'd have got it worse from my dad.

Now wind that gramophone up son and put another tune on son.

[NottinghamWhite]

What has angered me the most during lockdown are the public gatherings, yes that annoys but it’s the litter that’s been left behind that really angers me. Beaches, parks, Anfield & the London marches where tons of litter has being left. Absolute scum in my opinion. There has been lots of people taking on the task of clearing up these areas.

[johnh]

National Service should be brought back asap - 2 years from age 18. Looking back, it was one of the best things that happened to me in my life. Instilled discipline, responsibility, respect for others and respect for oneself. I don't think you will find an ex National Serviceman who will disagree. If you do, they will probably be in a minority of one! There were the odd ones who genuinely had a raw deal, particularly those who were 'deferred' - University students etc., and who went in in their early 20's. Always felt sorry for them as they didn't seem to fit in.

[Deleted User 728]

I would suggest from 16 if the kid isn't taking any more education. They could do a general one year military-style service then maybe something more vocational in the second year, eg comms, engineering, medic. They could then take it further and stay in if both parties are happy.
For 18 year-olds going on to uni, maybe the basic year before studying and the option of a specialised "more senior" vocational year afterwards with a view to becoming an officer if they stay in after they complete their service.

[johnh]

On further reflection, the main problem would be that, unlike the last time we had it when women weren't involved, they would have to be this time. The costs would be prohibitive.

[psquithy]

Well the last few posts have many broad generalisations which may be down to individuals personal experience or the localities that they live in, but they are broad generalisations.

Personally I feel that while there are a few a idiots about, the generality is that most people are decent human beings who do care about their surroundings and other people, but it is easy to take too much notice of bad stories in the press/media/social media which give a distorted view of the world.

Ignore the scare stories - what is your personal experience - at present the worst I am encountering are some people who walk straight down the middle of the pavement when you have stepped into the road to give space - annoying but no big deal.

[Deleted User 728]

Or it might be that you live in a place with a higher proportion of sensible/careful/respectful people than those of us experiencing something different.

I originally wrote "educated" then thought about "intelligent" but thought better of both those terms.

Or it might simply be demographics another way, eg population density, size of the CBD, density of pubs and cafés in the areas you've visited.

[psquithy]

Or it might be that you live in a place with a higher proportion of sensible/careful/respectful people than those of us experiencing something different.

I originally wrote "educated" then thought about "intelligent" but thought better of both those terms.

Or it might simply be demographics another way, eg population density, size of the CBD, density of pubs and cafés in the areas you've visited.

Maybe - I hope that is not the case though - are some people seeing the worst when if you look again things could be interpreted in a better light?

[Davycc]

Maybe - I hope that is not the case though - are some people seeing the worst when if you look again things could be interpreted in a better light?

I commend your outlook. I mentioned in another thread about parks and lakes in other countries were nature and facilites for public use were looked after and embraced by all the community, no shopping trolleys in rivers or lakes no destrcution of property. I do feel we here in the UK are way behind when it comes to social behaviour. Long gone are the days when it was thought we set the standards.